The most amazing story related to Thompson Square is the proposed attempt of the French to capture the Hawkesbury by force of arms and thus seize the colony of Australia. Though regarded as unsupported speculation in the past recent research into French archives suggest indeed it was true.

The Napoleonic wars ranged from Ireland to Egypt and the West Indies to Russia over 23 years and killed at least 3,000,000 soldiers in 114 major battles. For one year, 1802, there was a truce between England and France and Napoleon sent ships to Australia ostensibly as a friendly scientific expedition. Though greeted well, suspicions were high. Whilst here they secretly produced extremely detailed surveys and maps with attention to military strong points and geological elevations required by artillery officers. Indeed the map of Sydney is the most detailed one produced at that time.

Francois Peron later claimed to be the principal agent sent to spy on this British outpost and proposed it be seized giving elaborate plans for its easy capture with the aid of Irish convicts. Napoleon was incensed at the establishment of this colony as it gave England the Western Pacific and commanding access to Asia.

These initial plans were not activated at that time. However French intentions to establish an outpost in Bass Strait on King Island were thwarted by a peremptory display of force by Governor King.

In 1813 Earl Bathurst (Sec of War & Colonies) wrote a confidential letter to the newly appointed Gov Macquarie outlining reports of a very detailed plan to put this desire into action, as revealed by agents friendly to Britain, at this point the crisis was largely over though the threat remained. It claimed a combined French and American fleet of 5 war ships and a supply vessel would sail across the Pacific and assemble in Two Fold Bay at Eden NSW with 1300 soldiers plus sailors, cavalry and artillery. The aim was to come up the Hawkesbury River and seize Windsor and its garrison thus controlling the food bowl of Sydney. Sydney would then quickly fall to such a large and professional army assisted by Irish convicts.

In 1812 both France and America were at war with England with their fleets blockaded and such a diversion seemed tactically wise to draw off the English fleet at minimal cost. The “Grande Armee” loss of 500,000 men in the snows of Russia in 1812 and American problems early in the 1812/15 war resulted in the plan not being implemented at that time.

Never the less it remained a real threat and pointed out the concerns and desires this little colony was causing in other countries. It also showed again the strategic importance of Windsor as demonstrated earlier in the Vinegar Hill Uprising of 1804 and its attempt to capture it.

Further, it helps explain Macquarie’s preoccupation with Windsor during his reign with extensive civic building, populating it with free or freed settlers, town planning and construction of permanent barracks in the Domain and the ordering of a large two story military support structure (Macquarie Arms) on the highest point giving commanding views over the area.

It is sobering to think Windsor and Thompson Square were important to President Madison in the USA and Emperor Napoleon of France. With different outcomes elsewhere in the world part of the Napoleonic Wars could have been fought out in our little park and our history changed forever.

Thompson Square is a key component in our early history but unknown to our own politicians it seems.